GMHC is a not-for-profit, volunteer-supported and community-based organization committed to national leadership in the fight against AIDS. We provide prevention and care services to men, women and families that are living with, or affected by, HIV/AIDS in New York City. We advocate for scientific, evidence-based public health solutions for hundreds of thousands worldwide. Our mission: GMHC fights to end the AIDS epidemic and uplift the lives of all affected. Visit www.gmhc.org.

Thursday, November 8, 2012

Hurricane Relief Forward Fund Created by GMHC Following Cancellation of Fashion Forward Event

Later
today, Thursday, November 8, would have been the night of our annual
fundraiser, Fashion Forward, which honors the nexus of fashion and AIDS
activism. Yet following the devastation caused by Hurricane Sandy, and
the impact it has had on our clients, GMHC cancelled the event to focus on our
core mission--serving people living with and affected by HIV and AIDS. To
achieve this mission, a new fund was created by GMHC, Hurricane Relief Forward,
for our disaster relief work. This unrestricted fund includes a matching
program, initially sponsored by four of our most generous donors and we now ask
for support. The program has started with $33,500, so we are seeking
donations which will be matched, thus doubling the contributions.

Donors
to the fund include members of the GMHC Board of Directors, with the founding
donation being from Board member Craig de Thomas, the Chief Executive Officer
of Insignia National Title Agency, LLC. Craig explained, "It was
heart-wrenching to see how many of our clients were in great need and despair
after the hurricane hit NYC. Volunteering was not enough and that's why I
am determined to put my resources where they will have an impact. I am honored
to step forward with financial support." To donate to GMHC's Hurricane Relief Forward,
please visit our website--gmhc.org. For questions, please contact (212)
367-1281 or email Sherry Card at sherryc@gmhc.org.

As
a result of Hurricane Sandy, many New Yorkers living with or affected by
HIV/AIDS were hit hard. GMHC's clients include some of the poorest and
most vulnerable New Yorkers, and Hurricane Sandy had a disproportionate effect
on them. We were saddened to cancel Fashion Forward, but know that under
these circumstances, it was the correct decision. As we worked
through last week, it became clear the disaster's aftermath was much worse than
what we originally anticipated, so we are concentrating our efforts on
addressing these needs.

Many
of our clients continue to be without housing, food, electricity, clothing and
HIV medications--and need basic humanitarian support. On Monday, October
29 and Wednesday, October 31, several clients braved the weather, walking from
their homes in the Bronx and Brooklyn to our offices on West 33rd Street for a
hot meal. This may have been their only meal of the day. Well over
400 meals were served in the heart of the crisis, even when subways had not
resumed, with clients making their way long distances to receive food and
assistance. We sent home care packages with clients on Monday knowing
that they might not have access to any food on Tuesday, October 30, and we were
not able to be open with the closure of the subways.

Not
only HIV-positive clients are in crisis, one high-risk, HIV-negative client
needed to see three staff persons including our psychologist, attorney and
benefits advocate because the crises he was experiencing seemed
insurmountable. The rest of last week, hundreds more came through our
doors needing urgent care. It continues to be critical that we are here
for our clients, providing meals and bags of groceries, linkages to housing and
crisis counseling. One client on Staten Island called in dire panic as
her home had been destroyed and she had not been able to find temporary
housing. GMHC immediately took action and now she is safe in a temporary
shelter.

Our
clients who live in areas without power had problems accessing their HIV
medications and needed immediate intervention. We worked with our pharmacy
contacts to successfully resolve their issues.

Our
Mental Health Services have provided daily crisis counseling and the numbers of
clients needing to talk remains high. Our Meals Program and Keith Haring
Food Pantry Program continue to have high volume, with more people needing
assistance than prior to Hurricane Sandy. Our Case Management department
continues to address housing needs of many clients, some of whom have been
dislocated by the hurricane.

GMHC
remains focused on our core mission in the hurricane's aftermath. Hurricane Relief Forward,
dedicated to assisting people living with HIV/AIDS, allows us to continue our
disaster relief work as our efforts increase. Seth Rosen, JD, Managing
Director of Development at GMHC, noted, "On the day before the hurricane,
and the week following it, I helped serve meals and tended to immediate needs
of our clients. I was deeply moved by the experience and how our staff,
board members and volunteers stepped up in those difficult days. With
this new fund, we will be able to increase our support for those impacted by
Hurricane Sandy."

GMHC
is especially grateful to the abundance of Fashion Forward donors, who upon
learning of the difficulties being faced by our clients, graciously allowed
their funds to be utilized for these efforts.